On June 16, 2025, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in India issued a directive to all Unified Access Services (UAS), Unified License (UL), and Unified License Virtual Network Operators (UL-VNOs) with access service authorization, reaffirming that full Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance is mandatory for internet telephony services using mobile numbering series.
This decision resolves ambiguity surrounding whether current KYC regulations applied to services other than cellular mobile, especially under the “Business Connection” model.
Uniform KYC Obligations for All Access Service Providers
Citing multiple license conditions and previous instructions from August 2023, the DoT clarified that all licensees offering internet telephony must apply the same KYC protocols required for cellular mobile services. This includes:
Full verification of all end-users before service activation.
Applicability of terms like SIM cards and IMSI where relevant, even in the absence of physical SIM deployment.
Adherence to all conditions related to bulk or business connections.
The new directive eliminates any interpretation that current KYC rules are exclusive to mobile operators alone.
Compliance Timeline and Enforcement
Operators have been given a 90-day window from the date of the directive to bring their internet telephony services into full compliance. The DoT emphasized that failure to adhere to these instructions would be treated as a license violation, subject to penalties and other enforcement actions under the license agreement.
For this article’s source information and any product certification guidance, please contact Global Validity.
Quick Country Facts
India
Certification Body: Ministry of IT and Communications, Wireless Planning & Coordination Wing
Certification Type: Mandatory
License Validity: Indefinite
Application Language: English
Legal License Holder: Local Representative
In-Country Testing Requirement: Testing Not Required
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